Little Kix
Encyclopedia
Little Kix is the third album by English
rock
band Mansun
. It marked a departure from their previous style, employing a more commercial sound.
styling for a more commercial and soulful sound. The album was recorded in difficult circumstances recorded in Pink Floyd
's old studio on a boat, Astoria. For the first time, bandleader Paul Draper
no longer was producing the music in any capacity. Hugh Padgham
was hired instead. Theoretically he should have had a good affinity with the group as he had previously worked with David Bowie
one of the group's major influences. Early album titles include Magnetic Poetry and The Trouble with Relationships.
It later transpired that Draper had been removed from his position of band producer by the record company, to make sure that the album was more "independent local radio friendly". The band found themselves in serious conflict with the record company, which insisted on lyrics being changed and songs that the band had written off being pushed to the fore as singles. Draper cited "Forgive Me" as a particular example where what he described as a Prince
homage was stripped of its sexual and ironic lyrics at the record company’s insistence and wound up sounding earnest and pretentious.
Draper states in the liner notes of Legacy: The Best of Mansun that "Fool" was intended as a throwaway Jimmy Webb
track. He explains that reading a book on song writing by Jimmy Webb: 'Inspired me to write an ironic song that is now my least favourite Mansun track. Bowie intro, comical chorus lyrics and guess what? The label wanted it as a fucking single! I couldn’t believe it'. Prior to the release of "Fool" it had been rumoured that the band had suggested rerecording "Until the Next Life". On a fan Q&A Draper stated that the working method was greatly different from his work on the former two albums. He wrote: Little Kix was the only album I had to make demos for, the rest I just made up as I want along’.
This outside interference had an understandably negative effect on the band, in particular Paul Draper, who felt the band was already beginning to end. While the group would continue until 2003 and finish the majority of a fourth album, the band had started to disintegrate. In late 2005, in a fan interview, when asked what had led to Mansun splitting, Andie Rathbone
replied simply; "Little Kix".
and was certified Silver by the BPI
.
Three singles were released from the album. The first, "I Can Only Disappoint U
" became one of the group's most successful singles peaking at #8 on the UK Singles Chart
in the run up to the album's release. It was aided considerably by a popular club remix by Paul Oakenfold
. "Electric Man", the second single was released in November at peaked at #23. The final single "Fool" managed only #28 in the traditionally quiet post-Christmas market.
from "Electric Man"
from "Fool"
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Mansun
Mansun
Mansun were an English alternative rock band formed in Chester in 1995. The band comprised vocalist/rhythm guitarist Paul Draper, bassist Stove King, lead guitarist/backing vocalist Dominic Chad, and drummer Andie Rathbone. The band broke up in May 2003....
. It marked a departure from their previous style, employing a more commercial sound.
Overview
Little Kix was Mansun’s third album, and was a dramatic turnaround of the band's sound after the sprawling Six, dropping its predecessor’s prog rockProgressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
styling for a more commercial and soulful sound. The album was recorded in difficult circumstances recorded in Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
's old studio on a boat, Astoria. For the first time, bandleader Paul Draper
Paul Draper
Paul Edward Draper is an English singer-songwriter and former lead singer for the rock band Mansun.Draper grew up on Garmoyle Road in Liverpool before moving with his family to Deeside...
no longer was producing the music in any capacity. Hugh Padgham
Hugh Padgham
Hugh Padgham is a British record producer. He has won many awards, including four Grammys, with Producer of the Year and Engineer of the Year. A 1992 poll in Mix magazine voted him one of the world's Top Ten Most Influential Producers....
was hired instead. Theoretically he should have had a good affinity with the group as he had previously worked with David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
one of the group's major influences. Early album titles include Magnetic Poetry and The Trouble with Relationships.
It later transpired that Draper had been removed from his position of band producer by the record company, to make sure that the album was more "independent local radio friendly". The band found themselves in serious conflict with the record company, which insisted on lyrics being changed and songs that the band had written off being pushed to the fore as singles. Draper cited "Forgive Me" as a particular example where what he described as a Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
homage was stripped of its sexual and ironic lyrics at the record company’s insistence and wound up sounding earnest and pretentious.
Draper states in the liner notes of Legacy: The Best of Mansun that "Fool" was intended as a throwaway Jimmy Webb
Jimmy Webb
Jimmy Webb is an American songwriter, composer, and singer. He wrote numerous platinum selling classics, including "Up, Up and Away", "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", "Wichita Lineman", "Galveston", "The Worst That Could Happen", "All I Know", and "MacArthur Park"...
track. He explains that reading a book on song writing by Jimmy Webb: 'Inspired me to write an ironic song that is now my least favourite Mansun track. Bowie intro, comical chorus lyrics and guess what? The label wanted it as a fucking single! I couldn’t believe it'. Prior to the release of "Fool" it had been rumoured that the band had suggested rerecording "Until the Next Life". On a fan Q&A Draper stated that the working method was greatly different from his work on the former two albums. He wrote: Little Kix was the only album I had to make demos for, the rest I just made up as I want along’.
This outside interference had an understandably negative effect on the band, in particular Paul Draper, who felt the band was already beginning to end. While the group would continue until 2003 and finish the majority of a fourth album, the band had started to disintegrate. In late 2005, in a fan interview, when asked what had led to Mansun splitting, Andie Rathbone
Andie Rathbone
Andrew Rathbone is an English drummer and former member of the rock band Mansun.Rathbone was the third and final drummer in Mansun, brought in after the band had "internal conflict" with the previous two...
replied simply; "Little Kix".
Release
Little Kix was released in August 2000, It did not match the popularity of the group's previous albums and reflected a continuing decline in commercial fortunes for the group. It peaked at #12 on the UK Albums ChartUK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
and was certified Silver by the BPI
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
.
Three singles were released from the album. The first, "I Can Only Disappoint U
I Can Only Disappoint U
"I Can Only Disappoint U" is a song by UK band Mansun. It was released as a single in 2000 from the group's third album, Little Kix. The song went on to become their fourth and final top ten hit in the UK...
" became one of the group's most successful singles peaking at #8 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in the run up to the album's release. It was aided considerably by a popular club remix by Paul Oakenfold
Paul Oakenfold
Paul Mark Oakenfold is a British record producer and a trance DJ.-Early Career: 1979–84:Paul Oakenfold's career was set to be a chef, after having hopes of becoming part of a band. He describes his early life as a "bedroom deejay" in a podcasted interview with Vancouver's 24 Hours, stating he grew...
. "Electric Man", the second single was released in November at peaked at #23. The final single "Fool" managed only #28 in the traditionally quiet post-Christmas market.
Track listing
- All tracks written by Paul Draper; except as indicated.
Personnel
- Paul Draper - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards
- Dominic ChadDominic ChadDominic Chad is an English rock guitarist and former member of the rock band Mansun.He reportedly changed his name by deed poll to Dominic Brian Chad in 1998, due to his fixation with the now deceased Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones.Chad is an arranger and songwriter, having co-written...
- Backing Vocals, Electric Guitar, Piano - Stove KingStove KingStove King is an English bassist and former member of the rock band, Mansun....
- Bass - Andie RathboneAndie RathboneAndrew Rathbone is an English drummer and former member of the rock band Mansun.Rathbone was the third and final drummer in Mansun, brought in after the band had "internal conflict" with the previous two...
- Drums
- Hugh PadghamHugh PadghamHugh Padgham is a British record producer. He has won many awards, including four Grammys, with Producer of the Year and Engineer of the Year. A 1992 poll in Mix magazine voted him one of the world's Top Ten Most Influential Producers....
- Producer - Mike Hunter - Co-Producer, Hammond Organ, Pro Tools
- Mark 'Spike' StentMark StentMark 'Spike' Stent is a British record producer, and audio engineer who has worked with The KLF, Björk, Keane, Depeche Mode, Muse, Erasure, Hard-Fi, Massive Attack, Janet Jackson, Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Marilyn Manson, Pet Shop Boys, Dave Matthews, No Doubt/Gwen Stefani, CSS, Beth Orton,...
- Mixing - Anne DudleyAnne DudleyAnne Dudley is an English composer and pop musician, and was the first BBC Concert Orchestra's Composer in Association in 2001. She has worked in both the classical and pop genres. She is perhaps best known, however, as one of the core members of the synthpop band Art of Noise and also as a film...
- Strings on "Electric Man" and "Soundtrack 4 2 Lovers" - Anton CorbijnAnton CorbijnAnton Corbijn is a Dutch photographer, music video and film director. He is the creative director behind the visual output of Depeche Mode and U2, having handled the principal promotion and sleeve photography for both for more than a decade...
- Photography - Pennie SmithPennie SmithPennie Smith is an English photographer, known for having photographed several rock musicians. She specialises in black-and-white photography.Smith attended Twickenham Art school in the late 1960s, studying graphics and fine art...
- Live photography
B-sides
from "I Can Only Disappoint U"- "Decisions, Decisions"
- "Repair Man"
- "My Idea Of Fun"
- "Golden Stone"
from "Electric Man"
- "The Drifters"
- "The Apartment"
- "I Can Only Disappoint U (Perfecto club mix)"
- "Electric Man (Acoustic version)"
- "I Can Only Disappoint U (Instrumental mix)"
from "Fool"
- "I've Seen the Top of the Mountain"
- "Promises"
- "Fade in Time"
- "Black Infinite Space"